Bulldogs, Warriors clash for preseason cage title

NATIONAL University and University of the East slug it out for the 2013 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup crown on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Bulldogs and the Red Warriors clash at 4 p.m. not only for the preseason crown but also to gain a boost to their UAAP preparations.

NU is going for its second consecutive Filoil crown, while UE is eyeing a second win after its 2008 triumph in the preseason tournament.

NU coach Eric Altamirano said UE has the tools to win the crown not just in the preseason but also in the UAAP.

“I think UE is a veteran team,” said Altamirano. “They are an experienced team. They have the materials to contend for this coming UAAP especially with the addition of (Charles) Mammie. They have a good point guard and they are complemented by veteran players. They are a team to reckon with.”

UE coach Boycie Zamar, on the other hand, said the Red Warriors’ appearance in the finals is still not a good gauge on how they will perform in the UAAP.

“Hindi natin puwede i-gauge ‘yan. We just go here with everything to gain because last time nag-finals dito ang UE was in 2008. Matagal na,” said Zamar.

The Bulldogs advanced to the championship game with a 74-57 victory over San Beda. Denice Villamor topscored for NU with 18 points to help the team’s star Bobby Ray Parks on both ends of the floor.

The Red Warriors, on the other hand, scored a come-from-behind victory over University of Santo Tomas, 77-75, in the semifinals with Roi Sumang, Charles Mammie, and JM Noble scoring 16 points apiece.

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UST and San Beda face each other in the battle-for-third at 2 p.m.

San Beda takes on NU in the juniors final at 9 a.m. while De La Salle tackles reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University at 11 a.m. for the women’s crown.